primary prevention

primary prevention,

a program of activities directed at improving general well-being while also involving specific protection for selected diseases, such as immunization against measles.

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primary,

n a term indicating the first in time or the first in order in a series.

primary beam,

n See radiation, primary.

primary care,

n the first contact with a health care provider in a given episode of illness that leads to a decision regarding a course of action to resolve the health problem presented by the patient.

primary deficiency,

n the insufficient intake of dietary nutrients that may be due to such factors as illness, ignorance, economic status, fad diets, food preferences, overuse of convenience foods, or poor oral health.

primary dentin,

n the dentin produced after a tooth takes its position in the oral cavity but before the apical foramen is completed.

primary dentition,

n See dentition, primary.

primary fixation,

n the immediate postoperative fastening of an implant to bone by means of wires, screws, or a superstructure until, through natural healing and adhesion, final fixation occurs.

primary health care,

n a basic level of health care that includes programs directed at the promotion of health, early diagnosis of disease or disability, and prevention of disease.

primary intention healing,

n the healing of a wound directly at the incision site.

primary lymphoma of the brain,

n a secondary neoplasm associated with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

primary prevention,

n an action performed to preclude the development of a disease. See also primary health care and secondary prevention.

primary radiation,

n See radiation, primary.

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primary prevention

Preventive medicine Any intervention which ↓ risks of a particular disease–eg, ↓ cholesterol intake to ↓ risk of ASHD, or ↓ tobacco to ↓ risk of lung CA. See Healthy lifestyle, Prevention. Cf Secondary prevention Psychiatry Measures to prevent a mental disorder–eg, nutrition, substitute parents, etc.